Has it really been 22 weeks since we started? I'm afraid the calendar says yes! Can this really be the end? Yes and no. I'm planning on an as- yet- to- be- determined number of "pop up" deliveries up until Thanksgiving, possibly even mid December, as weather and my produce supply allow. Details to follow in a separate email.
As you can imagine, it was not an easy season for us, what with my mother's illness and then death, and aside from that it was a challenge keeping everything watered during this extremely hot and dry summer. Nevertheless despite a few epic failures (but we won't mention the cantelopes! Did someone say cauliflower? Not me!) I think things went reasonably well. We were blessed with very good help this year, both employees and family members, and it's really thanks to them that we had as good a year as we did.
Before I g on, I wanted to introduce you to a new arrival this week:
It is named tatsoi and is a relation to bok choy (they are first cousins once removed, to be precise), but with less stem and a thicker leaf, with a mild flavor. Chopped fine it is almost indistinguishable from spinach, but much easier to grow in the fall. I usually plant way too much of it in the fall, this year I planted much too little. Next year I will do everything perfectly! We also started harvesting the purple top turnips, if anyone is interested.
There are still a few farm tasks left to do before we can relax into winter. Carrots and a few other storage crops need to be harvested, we still have a large greenhouse to plant with spinach, and then there is the usual farm chores, cleanup, and before you know it it is time to start planning for next year. Nonetheless we do have quite a bit of time in the winter for fun projects and recreation. My biggest plans are to build a bicycle-powered (with battery boost) cultivating tractor, and to read lots of poetry. I just ordered a translation-- in rhymed verse, no less!-- of traditional Serbian ballads which I'm particularly looking forward to. also, my friend Erika just sent me an accordion in the mail, with which I will spend several hours a day. Does anyone know how to play the 30- button accordion? Or do you know anyone who does? I could really use a few pointers.
Well, that's all for now. You'll be hearing from me shortly about winter produce availability and then from time to time over the winter. Thanks to everyone for your support and friendship. If there's anything you think I should know about this season's shares, or if you have some good reading suggestions, please tell me.
John
